Amnesty International’s Turkey office called for Atalay’s rights to be restored, emphasizing the Constitutional Court’s ruling that his personal freedom and right to be elected had been violated.
Turkey – A violent altercation broke out in Turkey during the plenary session of the country’s Parliament on Friday during a tense debate over the detention of opposition deputy Can Atalay.
The clash erupted when Ahmet Sik, a representative from the Workers’ Party of Turkey (TIP) and a member of the same party as the jailed deputy, was assaulted by a member of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party.
The brawl began after Sik accused the ruling party of being a “terrorist organization” during a speech at the podium. Television footage captured the moment when Sik was physically attacked, leading to a chaotic scene in the Turkish Grand National Assembly.
Multiple deputies became involved in the scuffle, with one female lawmaker being struck, leaving bloodstains on the chamber’s steps. Another opposition member was also injured during the confrontation.
Ozgur Ozel, leader of the largest opposition party, condemned the violence, stating, “It is a shameful situation. Instead of exchanging words, fists are flying, and there is blood on the ground. They are hitting women.”
The session was convened to address the case of Can Atalay, who was elected as a parliamentary deputy for TIP while imprisoned. Atalay had been sentenced to 18 years in prison for his involvement in the 2013 anti-government protests against then-Prime Minister Erdogan.
His supporters have been advocating for his release, as parliamentary immunity would allow him to leave Marmara prison. Despite favorable rulings from the Constitutional Court, lower courts have failed to uphold the decision, sparking a judicial crisis.
The Gezi Park protests, which began in 2013, initially focused on environmental concerns but soon escalated into broader demonstrations against Erdogan’s government. Atalay’s conviction, along with those of seven others, has faced widespread criticism from human rights organizations. Osman Kavala, a prominent figure in the protests, received a life sentence without parole.
Amnesty International’s Turkey office called for Atalay’s rights to be restored, emphasizing the Constitutional Court’s ruling that his personal freedom and right to be elected had been violated.
After a three-hour recess, the parliamentary session resumed, with the speaker issuing reprimands to the deputies involved in the altercation.
Physical confrontations among lawmakers are not uncommon in Turkey’s parliament, but this latest incident has drawn significant attention due to its intensity and the injuries sustained.
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